Vocal Form of African Music

Question 1

Maracatu

Answer 1

In maracatu, the fusion of Portuguese melodies and the strong rhythm
of African percussion instruments is noticeable. The maracatu group is also
known as nacoes (nations). The performers paraded with drumming assemble up to 100 performers are accompanied by singers, a chorus, and a coterie
of dancers.

Question 2

Blues

Answer 2

In the late 19th century, the blues musical form exist. The deep roots
of blues music is in African-American communities located in the “Deep
South” of the United States. A place where slaves and their descendants used
to sing while working in the cotton and vegetable fields.
The arrangement of notes of the blues creates expressive and soulful
sounds. The mode of the song can be associated with misfortune, lost love,
frustration, or loneliness. The blues communicate various emotions more effectively than other musical forms, eveIt is a method of a succession of two distinct musical phrases usually
rendered by different musicians. The second phrase acts as a direct commentary on or response to the first. It is somewhat the same with question and
answer sequence in human communication. It also looks like the versechorus form in many vocal compositions.
Example:
Mannish Boy, one of the signature songs by Muddy Waters
School Day—Ring. Ring Goes the Bell by Chuck Berry
Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen from extreme joy to profound sadness.
The well-known blues performers are Ray Charles, James Brown, B.B.
King, Aretha Franklin, Steve Winwood, Cab Calloway, Bo Diddley, Erykah
Badu, Erica Clapton, John Lee Hooker, Charles Musselwhite, Blues Traveler,
Jimmie Vaughan, and Jeff Baxter.

Question 3

Soul

Answer 3

Soul music has become a popular genre in the 1950s and 1960s. It
was created in the United States and fused African-American gospel music,
rhythm and blues, and often jazz. The rhythm is accompanied by handclaps
and spontaneous body moves, which are among its essential features. The
other characteristic of souls is the “call and response” between the soloist
and the chorus and incredibly intense and powerful vocal sounds.
In the 1950s, some developer recordings that made contributions to the
emergence of soul music were Clyde McPhatter, Hank Ballard, and Etta
James. Ray Charles, Little Richard, Otis Redding, James Brown. Sam Cooke
and Jackie Wilson are often referred to as “soul forefathers,” and Brown is
called “Godfather of Soul.”
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Ben, All I Could Do Was Cry, Soul to Soul, and
Betcha by Golly Wow are the example of soul music.

Question 4

Spiritual

Answer 4

Spiritual music is linked with religious people. It refers to the song
form known as the “Negro spiritual” sung by the African slaves in America
who became enslaved by their white communities. This song is used to express loneliness and anger, and it was a result of the interaction of music
and religion from Africa with the Americans. The lyrics contains mainly religious, and sometimes are taken from Biblical psalms or passages, while the
music utilizes deep bass voices. The vocal intonation is the African accents
and dramatic changes in dynamic addition to the musical interest and effectiveness of the singing.
Examples:
We are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder
Rock My Soul
When the Saints Go Marching In
Peace Be Still

Question 5

Call and Response

Answer 5

It is a method of a succession of two distinct musical phrases usually
rendered by different musicians. The second phrase acts as a direct commentary on or response to the first. It is somewhat the same with question and
answer sequence in human communication. It also looks like the verse-chorus form in many vocal compositions.
Example:
Mannish Boy, one of the signature songs by Muddy Waters
School Day—Ring. Ring Goes the Bell by Chuck Berry
Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen